CRUISIN’ FOR A BRUISIN’? — ELON MUSK tweeted his response this morning to the six Democratic senators, including lead Musk antagonist ED MARKEY (Mass.), who wrote to the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday urging a Twitter crackdown. It came in the form of a crude meme , of course, accusing lawmakers of obsessing over Twitter while ignoring the billions of customer dollars missing at SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s FTX. (Rest assured, Elon: They’re mad at him , too.) Listen to Markey talk Twitter on Playbook Deep Dive IT’S OFFICIAL — The trio of House Democrats who are expected to succeed the current leadership all made their formal campaign announcements this morning, just a day after Speaker NANCY PELOSI, Minority Leader STENY HOYER and Whip JIM CLYBURN (D-S.C.) stepped aside to make way for the new generation. — Rep. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-N.Y.) launched his bid for House Democratic leader, writing in a four-page letter to fellow Democrats that he would unite the party and increase security for lawmakers in light of the recent attack on Pelosi’s husband, PAUL, as well as those against Rep. STEVE SCALISE (R-La.) and former Rep. GABBY GIFFORDS (D-Ariz.). If elected, Jeffries would become the first Black leader of either party in Congress. Jeffries also noted his eye toward the future , stating that Dems’ “top non-governmental priority” is to reclaim the majority in 2024. “As we prepare to temporarily relinquish the gavels, House Democrats will be locked in a fierce governmental, political and messaging struggle,” he writes. “In this regard, our Caucus must unify with purpose, communicate with discipline, legislate with precision and partner with the Biden Administration to vigorously address the continuing challenges impacting our constituents.” Read Jeffries’ full letter Related read: “Hakeem Jeffries, Front-Runner to Succeed Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Forged Ties Across Spectrum,” by WSJ’s Jimmy Vielkind and Natalie Andrews Worth noting: “Mr. Jeffries has no relationship with House Minority Leader KEVIN McCARTHY (R., Calif.), who has been selected by the Republican conference as the party’s choice for speaker next year. In the past Mr. Jeffries has responded with ‘Kevin who?’ when asked about Mr. McCarthy.” — Meanwhile, House Assistant Speaker KATHERINE CLARK (D-Mass.) officially jumped into the mix for House Democratic whip this morning. “Now we must be tough, agile, and united to stop the Republican House Majority’s dangerous agenda and take back the House,” Clark wrote in her letter to Dems. She would become only the second woman to hold the position, after Pelosi. More from WaPo’s Leigh Ann Caldwell With Progressive Caucus Chair PRAMILA JAYAPAL (D-Wash.) reportedly declining a bid for the post, per our colleague Nicholas Wu , it appears unlikely anyone will challenge Clark for the No. 2 spot in the caucus. — And Rep. PETE AGUILAR (D-Calif.) announced he would seek the post of Democratic caucus chair, which would make him the highest-ranking Latino serving in Congress. Read Aguilar’s letter — Rounding out the news for Dems this morning, Clyburn said that he would seek the role of assistant leader, which will now become the fourth-ranking position in Democratic leadership. Read Clyburn’s letter Pelosi offered a “salute” to the Jeffries/Clark/Aguilar troika in a statement this morning: “A new day is dawning — and I am confident that these new leaders will capably lead our Caucus and the Congress.” ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE — Rep. ANDY BIGGS (R-Ariz.) said on Twitter this morning that he would not be voting for McCarthy for speaker, joining Reps. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.), BOB GOOD (R-Va.) and MATT ROSENDALE (R-Mont.) in the “hell no” bloc. If Republicans win 222 seats, as current returns suggest, McCarthy cannot afford any additional defections (though Rosendale said he might vote for him under “extreme circumstances” ). CLASS PICTURE — “A visual guide to Congress’s history-making freshman class,” by WaPo’s Derek Hawkins, Shikha Subramaniam and Garland Potts A look at the members, by the numbers:
- “The average age is about 46 for newly elected representatives and just shy of 50 for newly elected senators, though this could change slightly as several races remain uncalled. That’s younger than each of the past seven freshman classes. And it’s much younger than Congress overall.”
- “At least 23 women will join Congress in January — 15 Democrats and eight Republicans. That’s down from 2018, when voters sent more than three dozen newly elected women to the Capitol. But the new Congress will include a record number of Black women — 27, up from the previous record of 26.”
- “Nearly three dozen Latino Republicans ran for House seats, and five have won their races so far. The outcomes of a few uncalled contests in California could push the number of Latinos and Hispanics on the Republican side — and in Congress overall — to new highs. But the GOP and Congress as a whole remain disproportionately White and male compared with the general U.S. population.”
Good Friday afternoon. The men’s World Cup kicks off this weekend in Qatar, with the U.S. National Team back in the tourney after missing out in 2018. I like the U.S. to make it out of their group, but I’ve got Argentina lifting the trophy. Send me your predictions: gross@politico.com . FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: MOOCH TO SBF: “I’M NOT MAD” — While most of the political fallout from the FTX collapse has fallen on Democrats who benefitted from Bankman-Fried’s campaign largesse, Republicans have not gone unscathed. That includes lawmakers who took big campaign checks from top FTX exec RYAN SALAME, and it also includes ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI — the financier, crypto bull and former DONALD TRUMP confidant. Earlier this week, the Financial Times reported that as part of its deal to take a stake in Scaramucci’s SkyBridge Capital in September, SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s FTX forced the firm to buy $10 million worth of the exchange’s house crypto token , which has since lost more than 90 percent of its value. Scaramucci declined to comment to the FT, but by the coffee urn at the Milken Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi this morning, he told our colleague Ben Schreckinger there’s no hard feelings over getting saddled with the near-worthless tokens. “I’m a big boy,” he said. “I’m not mad.” As for the future of crypto, Scaramucci is sticking to the industry's party line on the meltdown: “If anything, it’s made me more confident because I think it’s going to flush out some of the weaker miscreants.” As for the future of the United States, the former White House comms director reiterated he would oppose Trump if his old boss wins the GOP nomination, saying he puts “democracy over policy.” THE WHITE HOUSE FOR WHOM THE WEDDING BELLS TOLL — The White House is hosting NAOMI BIDEN’s wedding on Saturday, just a day before President JOE BIDEN is set to turn 80. But as the West Wing tries to cut off any negative headlines as Biden becomes the first octogenarian in the White House, the glitzy occasion for his granddaughter “could put a youthful spin on the 80th birthday weekend,” CNN’s Kate Bennett writes . “Two people familiar with the planning of the wedding say it was not a coincidence Naomi Biden’s wedding weekend coincides with the president’s day – noting the ‘age issue’ is never something Biden wants to highlight. ‘The wedding gives some cover,’ says one of the people.” CONGRESS HEADS UP — “Wife of Sen. Bob Menendez Draws Scrutiny in Federal Probe,” by WSJ’s Corinne Ramey and James Fanelli: “Federal prosecutors investigating U.S. Sen. BOB MENENDEZ are examining whether his wife received gifts or services from individuals who sought favors from the New Jersey politician, according to people familiar with the matter. The U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York has subpoenaed associates of Mr. Menendez’s wife, NADINE ARSLANIAN , whom he married in 2020, the people said. Subpoenas issued in recent months have asked for information about both Ms. Arslanian and Mr. Menendez, according to the people.” FOR THE RECORD — Sen. BILL CASSIDY (R-La.) ended speculation that he might run for governor in Louisiana this morning, announcing that he would stay in Congress, where he is set to be the top Republican on the Senate HELP Committee. Read the full statement “The next move will come from Cassidy’s fellow Louisiana Republican, Sen. JOHN KENNEDY, who will make an announcement in the coming weeks on the 2023 gubernatorial election,” our colleague Burgess Everett writes for Congress Minutes. “If Kennedy gets in, he’ll run against Louisiana Attorney General JEFF LANDRY and perhaps a coterie of other high-profile candidates as Democratic Gov. JOHN BEL EDWARDS leaves office.” THE NEW MAJORITY — “Incoming GOP chair investigating Biden family businesses won’t subpoena President Biden,” by CNN’s Zachary Cohen, Pamela Brown and Allison Gordon: “‘There’s no plans to subpoena Joe Biden. There are plans to subpoena HUNTER BIDEN,’ GOP Rep. JIM COMER told CNN in a sit-down interview. The acknowledgment by Comer, the likely next chairman of the House Oversight Committee, that subpoenaing a sitting president unleashes a host of thorny executive privilege issues underscores the complicated task ahead for Republicans as they claim they will try to connect Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings to his father.” BUT THE DREAM SHALL NEVER DIE — “The latest victim from House GOP’s election night: impeachment,” by Jordain Carney: “House Republicans’ smaller-than-hoped-for margin — they’re expected to control the chamber by only a handful of votes — means any impeachment votes would require near-unanimity from a conference that sharply divides over even simple issues, such as infrastructure funding or keeping the government’s lights on.” JAN. 6 AND ITS AFTERMATH AT THE OATH KEEPERS TRIAL — “‘Do not become numb’: Prosecutors close seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keepers,” by Kyle Cheney: “STEWART RHODES and the leaders of the Oath Keepers repeatedly called on then-President Donald Trump to deploy the military to prevent ceding the Oval Office to Joe Biden. When he didn’t, prosecutors said Friday, they decided to do it themselves. After a grinding eight-week trial, the most significant to emerge from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, prosecutors pleaded with jurors to consider the weight of Rhodes’ words in the lead-up to Jan. 6, 2021.” MORE MIDTERMS FALLOUT THE BLAME GAME — “N.Y. Democrats Blame Eric Adams for Election Losses. He Doesn’t Care,” by NYT’s Emma Fitzsimmons and Jeffery Mays: NYC Mayor ERIC ADAMS “sees the election results in New York as a validation of his message and an opportunity to proselytize to national Democrats that they should embrace his brand of moderate politics rather than critique it. “‘I think those who stated, “Don’t talk about crime,” it was an insult to Black and brown communities where a lot of this crime was playing out,’ Mr. Adams said in an interview. He suggested that Democrats should treat the midterms as a teachable moment — a recognition that they mistakenly allowed Republicans to seize the narrative over public safety and crime.” MORE POLITICS LOST ANGELES — “How Rick Caruso spent $104M and still lost the L.A. mayor’s race,” by Lara Korte and Alexander Nieves in Los Angeles RNC LATEST — WaPo’s Josh Dawsey tweets : “More than 100 of 168 RNC members have signed a letter endorsing RONNA McDANIEL for re-election as chair of the RNC, per copy reviewed. … McDaniel's team is working behind scenes to stave off challengers.“ THE PANDEMIC WARPED TOUR — “The End of Vaccines at ‘Warp Speed,’” by NYT’s Benjamin Mueller: “Efforts to test and produce next-generation Covid vaccines are bogged down by bureaucratic problems and funding shortfalls. Foreign rivals have raced ahead in approving long-awaited nasal-spray vaccines, including one invented in St. Louis, creating a scenario in which Americans would have to travel abroad for the latest in American vaccine technology. … “As a result, even with the pandemic still taking a heavy toll , prospects have dimmed for the two most coveted kinds of next-generation vaccines: nasal sprays that can block more infections, and universal coronavirus shots that can defend against a wider array of ever-evolving variants.” — Related read: “Will Covid Boosters Prevent Another Wave? Scientists Aren’t So Sure,” by NYT’s Apoorva Mandavilli: “Older adults, immunocompromised people and pregnant women should get the booster shots, because they offer extra protection against severe disease and death, said John Moore, a virologist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. “But the picture is less clear for healthy Americans who are middle-aged and younger. They are rarely at risk of severe illness or death from Covid, and at this point most have built immunity through multiple vaccine doses, infections or both.” POLICY CORNER THE LOAN LURCH — “With Student Loan Forgiveness in Legal Limbo, Scammers Pounce,” by WSJ’s Julia Carpenter: “Scams targeting Americans impatient for debt forgiveness surged in the first 10 months of 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The agency received 76,000 complaints of scams related to student loans through the end of October, compared with 46,243 for all of 2021. Scammers sprinkle details from the latest headlines to add urgency and authenticity, with some claiming they can fast-track applications and payments, federal officials said.” WAR IN UKRAINE WHAT WENT DOWN — “How Was Russia Able to Launch Its Biggest Aerial Attack on Ukraine?” by NYT’s Lara Jakes and Marc Santora: “Whether the assault on infrastructure targets was long planned, as Ukrainian commanders say they believe, or served as a deadly response to Kyiv’s recapture of the city of Kherson last week, the widespread attack raises questions about how much Russia’s arsenal may be depleted and whether Moscow will endure by finding alternative sources of weapons.” HOW PUTIN OPERATES — “Where’s Putin? Leader leaves bad news on Ukraine to others,” by AP’s Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia AMERICA AND THE WORLD GRINER LATEST — “Russia Working With U.S. on Potential Prisoner Swap, Moscow Says,” by WSJ’s Ann Simmons and Louise Radnofsky in Moscow: “Russian Deputy Foreign Minister SERGEI RYABKOV told Russia’s state news agency TASS that Russia the U.S. are ‘working professionally through a special channel’ on the issue of the prisoner exchange and ‘Moscow hopes that the prospect is not only preserved, but also strengthened, [and] that a moment will come when a concrete agreement can be reached.’” DANCE OF THE SUPERPOWERS — “China’s Xi Stacks Government With Science and Tech Experts Amid Rivalry With U.S.,” by WSJ’s Karen Hao in Hong Kong: “The roster of officials with backgrounds in science and technology on the party’s 205-member Central Committee has rebounded to roughly the length it had during former leader JIANG ZEMIN’s first five-year term, beginning in 1992, when he kicked off a rapid acceleration of scientific research and innovation. The increase comes as Washington takes steps both to contain China’s tech sector and boost U.S. innovation.” BEYOND THE BELTWAY THE CLASSROOM CRISIS — “Schools struggle to staff up for youth mental health crisis,” by Chalkbeat’s Patrick Wall and Kalyn Belsha and AP’s Annie Ma: “Despite an influx of COVID-19 relief money, school districts across the country have struggled to staff up to address students’ mental health needs that have only grown since the pandemic hit. Among 18 of the country’s largest school districts, 12 started this school year with fewer counselors or psychologists than they had in fall 2019, according to an analysis by Chalkbeat.” PLAYBOOKERS OUT AND ABOUT — Glen Echo Group hosted a friendsgiving happy hour Thursday night at its Washington, D.C., office, with beer, wine and foods inspired by “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” SPOTTED: Margaret McGill, Charlie Meisch, Tim Donovan, John Buscher, Bill Barloon, John Perrino, Vickie Wodarcyk, Harold Feld, John Taylor, Jennifer Hodges, Dan O’Connor, Roger Sherman, Maura Corbett and Amy Schatz. | 
